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Lionel Messi Names Eight Players Who'll Light Up The World Cup

Lionel Messi Names Eight Players Who'll Light Up The World Cup

The Argentina star reveals who he thinks will shine during the tournament.

Nasir Jabbar

Nasir Jabbar

Lionel Messi is one of the players you need to watch at the World Cup. But who does he reckon will shine in Russia?

Well, Messi has named not one but EIGHT players to keep an eye on.

The 2018 World Cup commences next Thursday with hosts Russia kicking-off the summer footballing extravaganza against Saudi Arabia.

And ahead of the summer tournament, Barcelona's little magician has revealed who he thinks will light up the World Cup.

"Brazil have Ney and Philippe [Coutinho]. Spain have Andres Iniesta and Silva. Germany don't have any one star but they are very solid," he said via Daily Mail.

Neymar and Coutinho joke around training. Image: PA
Neymar and Coutinho joke around training. Image: PA

Messi added: "Belgium have [Eden] Hazard and [Kevin] De Bruyne. France have [Antoine] Griezmann and [Kylian] Mbappe. The tournament is full of very good players."

Hazard and De Bruyne in action for Belgium during Euro 2016. Image: PA
Hazard and De Bruyne in action for Belgium during Euro 2016. Image: PA

All very, very good shouts.

Messi, of course, has experience playing with both Neymar and Philippe Coutinho. Not to mention Andres Iniesta.

He enjoyed a prolific partnership with Neymar before he left for Paris Saint-Germain, while current teammates with Coutinho who joined Messi and co at Barcelona in January.

So he knows what the trio of players are capable of producing.

Iniesta hugs Messi on his final Camp Nou outing. Image: PA
Iniesta hugs Messi on his final Camp Nou outing. Image: PA

While also naming Manchester City duo David Silva and Kevin De Bruyne. Spain and Belgium are among the favourites to raise gold.

Messi has named another 'Red Devil' in the shape of Eden Hazard, as well as French pair Antoine Griezmann (future teammate?) and Kylian Mbappe.

He's also given a shout out to Germany as a whole. Fair.

Griezmann wheels away in celebration. Image: PA
Griezmann wheels away in celebration. Image: PA

Do you agree with Messi?

Sound off in the comment section below.

Featured Image Credit:

Topics: Football News, Football, Lionel Messi, Argentina, World Cup

Nasir Jabbar is a journalist at SPORTbible. He graduated from Bath Spa University with a BA in Media Communications. He's a combat sport aficionado, and has contributed to MMA websites AddictedMMA and CagePotato. Nasir has covered some of the biggest fights, while interviewing the likes of Conor McGregor, Michael Bisping and Anthony Joshua. He's also an avid Bristol City fan.

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